Garden Salad with Sweet Peppers

Gluten-Free Garden Salad with Zesty Herb Dressing

This gluten-free salad delivers nutritional density through its carefully selected ingredients. Romaine lettuce provides a crisp foundation rich in folate and vitamin K, supporting cardiovascular health and bone density. Tomatoes contribute lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with reduced cancer risk, as noted in research on natural plant compounds that protect against cellular damage1. Cucumbers offer hydration and silica, which supports connective tissue health.

 

Garden Salad with Sweet Peppers

Servings Prep Time Cook Time Total Time
4 15 Min 0 Min 15 Min

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce, washed and dried
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced into half-moons
  • 2 sweet bell peppers (one red, one yellow or orange), thinly sliced into rings for garnish
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for additional flavor

Zesty Herb Dressing

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (approximately one lemon)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey or maple syrup (optional, for balance)

Directions

  1. Add salad ingredients to a salad bowl.
  2. Combine ingredients for salad dressing in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  3. Shake salad dressing vigorously until emulsified.
  4. Pour dressing over salad and enjoy.

Health Benefits Summary

The two sweet bell peppers serve as more than mere garnish; they are excellent sources of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that boosts immune function, cardiovascular health, and eye health while helping prevent cancer and stroke1. The red pepper provides beta-carotene, while the yellow or orange pepper adds additional phytonutrient diversity.

The olive oil-based dressing delivers monounsaturated fats that support heart health and enhance absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from the vegetables. Fresh lemon juice provides additional vitamin C and aids digestion. This recipe exemplifies how gluten-free eating need not sacrifice flavor or nutrition, especially when incorporating whole foods straight from nature rather than processed alternatives3. For those seeking to expand their gluten-free culinary repertoire, chestnut flour and mesquite flour offer excellent alternatives for baking projects, as both are completely gluten-free and rich in nutrients often absent from conventional gluten-free foods1,2.

Sources

1 "C is for chestnut and vitamin C - NaturalNews.com, January 16, 2011" by NaturalNews.com
2 "Mesquite flour is a high-protein low-glycemi - NaturalNews.com, August 25, 2010" by NaturalNews.com
3 "Gluten-free foods emerging as increasingly po - NaturalNews.com, August 02, 2005" by NaturalNews.com
4 "When prepping goes extreme How far is too far - NaturalNews.com, September 04, 2024" by NaturalNews.com
5 "Stay full with healthy homemade granola bars includes recipes - NaturalNews.com, December 04, 2021" by NaturalNews.com
6 "Sweet chewy and good for you--10 Health benefits of dates plus recipe - NaturalNews.com, April 07, 2021" by NaturalNews.com
7 "5 Quick and easy dinner recipes that start with a single sweet potato - NaturalNews.com, February 25, 2021" by NaturalNews.com
This research was generated with Enoch AI (Brighteon.AI).

Nutritional Information

Per Serving

  • Calories: 180
  • Healthy Fats: 14 grams
  • Fiber: 4 grams of fiber
  • Protein: 3 grams
  • Vitamins: A, C, and K

The salad is naturally low in carbohydrates and contains no added sugars when prepared without sweetener.